Control for pressing machines



J. M. DEWEY 2,043,468

CONTROL FOR PRESSING MACHINES Filed Oct. 12, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 9, 1936.

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INVENTOR JAMES M. DEWEY BY AJTTORNEY-S z;

Ea 9,136. J DEWEY 2,043,468

CONTROL FOR PRESSING MACHINES Filed Oct. 12, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG-,2

- INVENTOR 3/ JAMES M. DEWEY A TTORNE Y5 Patented June 9, 1936 CONTROL FOR .PRESSING MACHINES James M. Dewey, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to The American Laundry Machinery Company, Norwood, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application October 12, 1935, Serial No. 44,722

Claims.

This invention relates to a pressing machine and more particularly to improvements in operating and control mechanism for such a machine.

While my invention is applicable to various types of pressing machines, I have illustrated the same as applied to a machine used for pressing garments and laundered articles.

My improved control mechanism is used in connection with a pressing machine wherein the coacting pressing members are moved into engagement in two steps, the first step comprising a movement into a preliminary safe-closed position, and the second step being a final movement into pressure engagement. In such a machine I provide a fluid actuated motor for accomplishing each step of the closing operation, storing fluid under pressure in the second step motor when the press is open and utilizing this stored fluid for operation of the first step motor in the preliminary press-closing operation.

An object of the present invention is to provide in a machine of the type described, a supply of fluid for operating the first step motor in addition to the use of the stored fluid and the automatic control of this additional fluid supply when the press reaches the proper point in its closing cycle.

Another feature of my improved control mechanism is the provision of automatic means for causing evacuation of the second step motor at the proper point in the press operating cycle, to insure safety of operation.

Other novel features of my invention are disclosed in the accompanying drawing and description, and the essential features thereof will be summarized in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is an end elevation partly in section of a pressing machine embodying my invention, with the control mechanism shown somewhat diagrammatically, while Figs. 2 and 3 are similar views showing the parts in certain of their actuated positions.

Certain features of my invention may be utilized in connection with a pressing machine in which one of a pair of coacting pressing members is movable in two steps toward the other pressing member, but I have chosen to illustrate the same as embodied in a machine in which each of the pressing members is movable toward the other. In the form illustrated, a frame l0 supports a bracket I l upon which is mounted a pressing bed 12 in a manner to permit limited vertical movement of the bed with respect to the frame. This movement is provided by a fluid motor l3 having a cylinder 13a which houses a piston 13b whose piston rod I30 is operatively connected with the bed. On the upper rear portion of the frame is pivotally mounted at 14 a power lever I5 which carries at its forward end a head l6 which is adapted to coact with the bed. One or both of the pressing members may be heated in the wellknown manner if desired. Mechanism for moving the head comprises toggle links I I and I8 connected between the rear end of the power lever and the lower rear portion of the frame. A spring I!) normally maintains the toggle links in broken position which corresponds to open position of the head. A combined snubber device and kick mechanism serves to cushion the movement of the toggle links into and beyond straightened position, and the device 20 includes a spring pressed plunger which gives an initial kick to break the straightened toggle. Power for actuating the toggle is supplied by motor 2| Which comprises a cylinder 2la, housing a piston 20 2112 whose rod 2| 0 is connected with the toggle. A cam bar 2 Id moves with the piston and its connected parts by means of a rigid bracket connection Zle. The cam bar carries a cam portion 2 If.

When the press is open as shown in Fig. 1, fluid under pressure is stored in cylinder l3a, the conduit connections including a source of motive fluid 22', conduit 23, valve casing 24, and conduit 25. Valve casing 24 houses a normally open inlet valve 24a and a normally closed inlet valve 24b, both mounted upon a common stem 24c and operable by a manual 24d. Valve casing 24 is connected by conduits 26 and 2! with cylinder 2m. Communicating with these conduits is a conduit 28 leading to valve casing 29 which houses a normally open outlet valve 29a, mounted on a stem 2% and operable by a manual 290. In conduit 26 is a check valve 30 which permits flow of fluid only in the direction indicated. Conduit 22 also communicates with valve casing 3i which houses a normally closed inlet valve 3la mounted on a stem 3 lb, and this valve when opened establishes communication between conduit 22 and conduit 32 which in turn leads to conduit 21. Valve casing 3| also houses a normally closed outlet valve 33 which is provided with an actuating stem 34. This valve when opened is adapted to exhaust cylinder l3a through conduit 35. It will be understood that the valves 31a, and 33 are combined in one casing merely for convenience. These two valves are operable by a yoke 36 which is reciprocably mounted in a bracket 31 and the yoke carries a follower 38 which is biased into engagement with cam bar 2 Id by a spring 39. It will be noted from an inspection of Fig. 1 that 7 24d closes valve 24a and opens valve 241) as shown in Fig. 2. Fluid then flows from cylinder l3a through conduit 25, valve 241), conduit 26, check valve 30 and conduit 21 to cylinder 2la to cause a stroke of piston 21b rearwardly or to the left as viewed in the drawings. Manual 290 must be held actuated at this time, as otherwise fluid will escape through conduit 28. This flow occurs (as shown by broken arrows in Fig. 2) until piston 2Ib and cam 2| I reach and slightly pass the position shown in broken lines in Fig. 2. The first actuation of follower 38 and yoke 36 by cam 2| opens valve 3la and supplies additional fluid to cylinder 2 la through conduits 32 and 21. Momentarily thereafter, valve 33 is opened to insure complete evacuation of cylinder l 3a through con duit 35. Thus as the pressing head [6 approaches the position shown in Fig. 2, the pressing bed l2 moves downward due to the weight of the parts impelled by gravity. As the piston 2lb continues its rearward movement, cam 2 If passes beyond follower 38 as shown in Fig. 3, and the valves in casing 3| return to their normal positions. At this time check valve 30 prevents any back flow from motor 21 through open valve 24b and conduit 25 to motor l3. The next step is the release of manual 2411 which reestablishes the flow of fluid through the conduits 22 and '23, valve 2%; and conduit 25 to cylinder I3w.

This raises piston |3b causing bed l2 to engage the pressing head I6. The head at this time is held against retrograde movement because the links I! and I8 are in strut forming position beyond their straightened position, which movement is limited by the engaging abutments Ila and 18a, all as shown in Fig. 3. Manual 290 may now be released, and the press will remain closed although motor 2i will be evacuated through conduits 21 and 28 and open valve 29a. The press will operate even though manual 290 be released simultaneously with manual 2411, because motor l3 will raise bed I2 so quickly that the head 16 does not have time to recede.

With the parts in the position of Fig. 3, to open the press the operator actuates manual 24d which cuts off the supply by closing the valve 24a and exhausts motor l3 through conduit 25. valve 24b, conduit '26, check valve 30, conduit 28 and valve 29a. The bed l2 then drops permitting device 20 and spring 19 to return the head to open position. Release of manual 24d then places the parts in the position of Fig. 1, ready for another operation.

It will be understood that the representations of motors l3 and. 2| are illustrative only. In actual practice motor I3 is of relatively large diameter and relatively short stroke, and motor 2| is of relatively short diameter and long stroke. The fluid pressure ordinarily supplied in a motor having the function of motor I3 is of the order of seventy-five to eighty pounds, while the pressure required in motor 21 to cause preliminary press-closing is of the order of ten pounds or less. Therefore the capacity for storing fluid in cylinder l3a will be suflicient to cause movement of piston 2 lb to the full line position shown in Fig. 2.

What I claim is:

1. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting pressing members, means for causing relative movement between said members in two steps, a first step into preliminary closed position and a. second step into final closed position, two fluid motors, one for causing each step of said operation, and control means for said motors including means for storing fluid under pressure in said second step causing motor when said pressing machine is open, said control means also including means for conducting said stored fluid to said first step causing motor to preliminarily close said press, said control means being arranged to thereafter supply fluid to said second step motor to finally close said press, an additional supply of motive fluid for said first step causing motor, normally closed valve means for controlling flow of fluid from said supply to said first step causing motor, and means for opening said valve means upon predetermined closing movement of said first step causing motor.

2. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting pressing members, means for causing relative movement between said members in two steps, a first step into preliminary closed position and a second step into final closed position, two fluid motors, one for causing each step of said operation, and control means for said motors including means for storing fluid under pressure in said second step causing motor when said pressing machine is open, said control means also including means for conducting said stored fluid to said first step causing motor to preliminarily close said press, said control means being arranged to thereafter supply fluid to said second step motor to finally close said press, an additional supply of motive fluid for said first step causing motor, normally closed valve means for controlling flow of fluid from said supply to said first step causing motor, and means for momentarily opening said valve means upon predetermined closing movement of said first step causing motor.

3. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting pressing members, means for causing relative movement between said members in two steps, a first step into preliminary closed position and a second step into final closed position, two fluid motors,-one for causing each step of said operation, and control means for said motors including means for storing fluid under pressure in said second step causing motor when said pressing machine is open, said control means also including means for conducting said stored fluid to said first step causing motor topreliminarily close said press, said control means being arranged to thereafter supply fluid to said second step motor to finally close said press, an additional supply of motive fluid for said first step causing motor, normally closed valve means for controlling flow of fluid from said supply to said first step causing motor, normally closed valve means for exhausting said second step causing motor, and means for opening both of said valve means upon predetermined press closing movement of said first step causing motor, said last named means being arranged to permit reclosing of said second-named valve means before said first step causing motor has completed its press closing operation.

4. In a pressing machine, pair of coacting pressing members, means for causing relative pressing members,

movement between said members in two steps, a first step into preliminary closed position and a second step into final closed position, two fluid motors, one for causing each step of said operation, and control means for said motors including means for storing fluid under pressure in said second step causing motor when said pressing machine is open, said control means also including means for conducting said stored fluid to said first step causing motor to preliminarily close said press, said control means being arranged to thereafter supply fluid to said second step motor to finally close said press, an additional supply of motive fluid for said first step causing motor, normally closed valve means for controlling fiow of fluid from said supply to said first step causing motor, normally closed valve means for exhausting said second step causing motor, and means for momentarily opening both of said valve means upon predetermined press closing movement of said first step causing motor.

5. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting pressing members, each movable toward the other, a fluid motor for moving one of said members into position adjacent the other, a second fluid motor for moving the other member into pressing engagement with the said one member, operating means for said motors including means for normally storing motive fluid in said second motor and for utilizing said stored fluid for operation of said first motor, an additional supply of motive fluid for said first motor, normally closed valve means for controlling flow of fluid from said supply to said first motor, and means for opening said valve means upon predetermined press closing movement of said first motor.

6. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting pressing members, each movable toward the other, a fluid motor for moving one of said members into position adjacent the other, a second fluid motor for moving the other member into pressing engagement with the said one member, operating means for said motors including means for normally storing motive fluid in said second motor and for utilizing said stored fluid for operation of said first motor, an additional supply of motive fluid for said first motor, normally closed valve means for controlling flow of fluid from said supply to said first motor, and means for momentarily opening said valve means upon predetermined press closing movement of said first motor.

'7. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting each movable toward the other, a fluid motor for moving one of said members into position adjacent the other, a second fluid motor for moving the other member into pressing engagement with the said one member, operating means for said motors including means for normally storing motive fluid in said second motor and for utilizing said stored fluid for operation of said first motor, an additional supply of motive fluid for said first motor, normally closed valve means for controlling flow of fluid from said supply to said first motor, normally closed valve means for exhausting said second motor, and means for opening both of said valve means upon predetermined press closing movement of said first motor, said last named means being arranged to permit reclosing of said second-named valve means before said first motor has completed its press closing operation.

8. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting pressing members, each movable toward the other, a fluid motor for moving one of said members into position adjacent the other, 'a second fluid motor for moving the other member into pressing engagement with the said one member, operating means for said motors including means 5 for normally storing motive fluid in said second motor and for utilizing said stored fluid for operation of said first motor, an additional supply of motive fluid for said first motor, normally closed valve means for controlling flow of fluid from said supply to said first motor, normally closed valve means for exhausting said second motor, and means for momentarily openings both of said valve means upon predetermined press closing movement of said first motor. 7

9. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting pressing members, each movable toward the other, a fluid motor for moving one of said members from open position into position adjacent the other, means biasing said one member toward open position, a second fluid motor for moving the other member into pressing engagement with said one member and for holding said one member against the action of said biasing means; and operating means for said motors including a source of motive fluid, conduit means connecting said motors, valve means in said conduit means adapted in one position to establish communication between said source and said second motor while blocking communication between said motors, said valve means being adapted in another position to open communication between said motors While blocking supply from said source, an additional supply of motive fluid for said first motor, normally closed valve means for control- 35 ling flow of fluid from said supply to said first motor, and means for opening said last named valve means upon predetermined press closing movement of said first motor.

10. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting 4o pressing members, each movable toward the other, a fluid motor for moving one of said members from open position into position adjacent the other, means biasing said one member toward open position, a second fluid motor for moving the other member into pressing engagement with said one member and for holding said one member against the action of said biasing means; and operating means for said motors including a source of motive fluid, conduit means connecting said motors, valve means in said conduit means adapted in one position to establish communication between said source and said second motor while blocking communication between said motors, said valve means being adapted in another position to open communication between said motors while blocking supplyfrom said source, an additional supply of motive fluid for said first motor, normally closed valve means for controlling flow of fluid from said supply to said first motor, and means for momentarily opening said last named valve means upon predetermined press closing movement of said first motor.

11. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting pressing members, each movable toward the other, a fluid motor for moving one of said members from open position into position adjacent the other, means biasing said one member toward open position,a second fluid motor for moving the other member into pressing engagement with said one member and for holding said one member against the action of said biasing means; and operating means for said motors including a source of motive fluid, conduit means connecting said motors, valve means in said conduit means adapted in one position to establish communication between said source and said second motor while blocking communication between said motors, said valve means being adapted in another position to open communication between said motors while blocking supply from said source, an additional conduit connection between said source and said first motor, a normally closed valve in said connection, a normally closed valve for exhausting said second motor, and means for opening both of said valves upon predetermined press closing movement of said first motor, said last named means being arranged to permit reclosing of said second motor exhaust valve before said first motor has completed its pressclosing operation.

12. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting pressing members, each movable toward the other, a fluid motor for moving one of said members from open position into position adjacent the other, means biasing said one member toward open position, a second fluid motor for moving the other member into pressing engagement with said one member and for holding said one member against the action of said biasing means; and operatingmeansfor said motors including a source of motive fluid, conduit means connecting said motors, valve means in said conduit means adapted in one position to establish communication between said source and said second motor while blocking communication between said motors,

said valve means being adapted in another position to open communication between said motors while blocking supply from said source, an additional conduit connection between said source and said firstmotor, a normally closed valve in said connection, a normally closed valve for exhausting said second motor, and means for momentarily opening both of said valves upon predetermined press closing movement of said first motor.

13. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting pressing members, each movable toward the other, a fluid motor for moving one of said members from open position into position adjacent the other, means biasing said one member toward open position, a second fluid motor for moving "the other member into pressing engagement with said one member and for holding said one member against the action of said biasing means; and operating means for said motors including a source of motive fluid, conduit means connecting said motors, valve means in said conduit meansadapted in one position to establish communication between said source and said second motor while blocking communication between said motors, said valve means being adapted in another position to open communication between said motors while blocking supply from said source, a normally open outlet valve in said conduit means, a control member for said outlet valve, a control member for said valve means, said control members being spaced apart to require both hands of an operator for coincidental operation thereof, an additional conduit connection between said source and said first motor, a normally closed valve in said connection, a normally closed valve for exhausting said second motor, and means for opening both of said normally closed valves upon a predetermined press closing movement of said first motor, said last named means being arranged to permit reclosing of said second motor exhaust valve before said first motor has completed its press closing operation.

l l. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting pressing members, each movable toward the other, a fluid motor for moving one of said members from open position into position adjacent the other, means biasing said one member toward open position, a second fluid motor for moving the other member into pressing engagement with said onemember and for holding said one member against the action of said biasing means; and operating means for said motors including a source of motive fluid, conduit means connecting said motors with each other and connecting each of said motors with said source, valves in said conduit means including a normally open inlet valve between said source and said second motor, a normally closed valve between said motors, a normally open outlet valve communicating with said conduit means between said two motors, control means for said three valves including two control members spaced to require both hands of an operator for simultaneous actuation thereof and arranged upon actuation to close said first and third named valves and to open said second named valve, a normally closed valve in said conduit means between said source and said first motor, a normally closed outlet valve for exhausting said second motor, and means for momentarily opening said two last named valves uponpredetermined press-opening movement of said first motor.

15. Press control mechanism as in claim 14, and including a check valve in said conduit means between said motors and on the first-motor side of said second named valve, said check valve permitting fluid flow toward said first motor only.

JAMES M. DEWEY. 

